Festive End of Term Arrangements for 2026
In recognition of the hard work and dedication our students have shown this term, and with the festive season just around the corner, please find below details of the arrangements that have been made for the final weeks.
Festive Lunch
Students are invited to our Festive Lunch where those who wish to join us will have an extended lunch break, be served a traditional festive dinner (vegetarian option available) and be seated together in the wooden gym, which will be decorated in the festive spirit with music playing too.
Our festive lunch will take place over 4 days, Monday 7th to Thursday 10th December as follows;
- Monday 7th will be festive lunch for year 7
- Tuesday 8th will be festive lunch for year 8
- Wednesday 9th will be festive lunch for year 9
- Thursday 10th will be festive lunch for year 10, 11 and sixth form
What do you need to do?
The option to sign your child up for the festive lunch has been added to each of your Parent Pay accounts. Please pay the amount of £2.84 and your child will be recorded on the list automatically. On the day of our Festive lunch, all students that have paid will receive their dinner invite ticket from their form tutors, which they will show in the canteen to be granted entry. The ticket includes a full festive main, drink and festive biscuit.
What if my child does not want to have the Festive Lunch?
We hope that as many students as possible from all backgrounds and religions will join us for this meal together, but we also understand that some students may not wish to. However, in order for our catering team to best manage these events the canteen will not be serving any other main meals on these days and will be closed to students not taking part. However, the shack will be open for grab and go food as per normal service. Therefore, it is recommended that students not taking part bring a packed lunch if they do not wish to purchase a grab and go snack from the shack.
What happens on the days that are NOT my child’s Festive Lunch day?
The canteen will not be serving any other main meals on any of these days. However, the shack will be open for grab and go food as per normal service. Therefore, it is recommended that students bring a packed lunch on days when other year groups are having their festive lunch, if they do not wish to purchase a grab and go snack from the shack.
What if my child receives Free School Meals?
If your child receives Free School Meals and you see an entry in your Parentpay account, please ignore it. Instead, please fill in a form for each child individually by clicking HERE to indicate if they would like the festive lunch, and this will be provided for them. Alternatively, if they do not wish to have the festive lunch they will be provided with a packed lunch.
Festive Jumper Day – Thursday 10th December 2026
This year HAOC are proud to support Save the Children, a fantastic charity that works in 115 countries to provide children with a basic education, healthcare for preventable diseases, and protection from violence.
Students are invited to wear a festive Jumper with their school uniform on Thursday 10th December in exchange for making a £1.00 donation to Save the Children which has been added to your Parentpay account.
Please be aware this is NOT a non-uniform day – should your child not wish to wear a festive jumper they will be expected to wear full HAOC uniform, or business wear for Sixth Formers, as normal. Any student deemed not to be in appropriate or correct uniform/business wear will be sent home to change or be in isolation for the day.
We are looking forward to celebrating the end of the year with all our students. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the academy.